Pharmacology Cardiovascular Drugs NCLEX Test Questions with
Verified Answers
A newly admitted client takes digoxin 0.25 mg/day. The
nurse knows that which is the serum therapeutic range for
digoxin?
b. 0.5 to 2.0 ng/mL
a. 0.1 to 1.5 ng/mL
b. 0.5 to 2.0 ng/mL
c. 1.0 to 2.5 ng/mL
d. 2.0 to 4.0 ng/mL
The client's serum digoxin level is 3.0 ng/mL. What does
the nurse know about this serum digoxin level?
a. It is in the high (elevated) range. a. It is in the high (elevated) range.
b. It is in the low (decreased) range.
c. It is within the normal range.
d. It is in the low average range.
The nurse is assessing the client for possible evidence
of digitalis toxicity. The nurse acknowledges that which is
included in the signs and symptoms for digitalis toxicity?
d. Pulse below 60 beats/min and irregular rate
a. Pulse (heart) rate of 100 beats/min
b. Pulse of 72 with an irregular rate
c. Pulse greater than 60 beats/min and irregular rate
d. Pulse below 60 beats/min and irregular rate
The client is also taking a diuretic that decreases her
potassium level. The nurse expects that a low potassium
level (hypokalemia) could have what ettect on the digox-
in?
a. Increase the serum digoxin sensitivity level
a. Increase the serum digoxin sensitivity level
b. Decrease the serum digoxin sensitivity level
c. Not have any ettect on the serum digoxin sensitivity
,Pharmacology Cardiovascular Drugs NCLEX Test Questions with
Verified Answers
level
d. Cause a low average serum digoxin sensitivity level
When a client first takes a nitrate, the nurse expects which
symptom that often occurs?
a. Nausea and vomiting b. Headaches
b. Headaches
c. Stomach cramps
d. Irregular pulse rate
The nurse acknowledges that beta blockers are as ettective
as antianginals because they do what?
a. Increase oxygen to the systemic circulation.
c. Decrease heart rate and decrease myocardial contrac-
b. Maintain heart rate and blood pressure.
tility.
c. Decrease heart rate and decrease myocardial contrac-
tility.
d. Decrease heart rate and increase myocardial contractil-
ity.
The health care provider is planning to discontinue a
client's beta blocker. What instruction should the nurse
give the client regarding the beta blocker?
a. The beta blocker should be abruptly stopped when
another cardiac drug is prescribed. b. The beta blocker should NOT be abruptly stopped; the
b. The beta blocker should NOT be abruptly stopped; the dose should be tapered down.
dose should be tapered down.
c. The beta blocker dose should be maintained while
taking another antianginal drug.
d. Half the beta blocker dose should be taken for the next
several weeks.
,Pharmacology Cardiovascular Drugs NCLEX Test Questions with
Verified Answers
The beta blocker acebutolol (Sectral) is prescribed for
dysrhythmias. The nurse knows that what is the primary
purpose of the drug?
a. To increase the beta1 and beta2 receptors in the cardiac
c. To block the beta1-adrenergic receptors in the cardiac
tissues
tissues
b. To increase the flow of oxygen to the cardiac tissues
c. To block the beta1-adrenergic receptors in the cardiac
tissues
d. To block the beta2-adrenergic receptors in the cardiac
tissues
A client is to be discharged home with a transdermal ni-
troglycerin patch. Which instruction will the nurse include
in the client's teaching plan?
a. "Apply the patch to a nonhairy area of the upper torso
a. "Apply the patch to a nonhairy area of the upper torso
or arm."
or arm."
b. "Apply the patch to the same site each day."
c. "If you have a headache, remove the patch for 4 hours
and then reapply."
d. "If you have chest pain, apply a second patch next to the
first patch."
A nurse is monitoring a client with angina for therapeutic
ettects of nitroglycerin. Which assessment finding indi-
cates that the nitroglycerin has been ettective?
a. Blood pressure 120/80 mm Hg d. Client stating that pain is 0 out of 10
b. Heart rate 70 beats per minute
c. ECG without evidence of ST changes
d. Client stating that pain is 0 out of 10
, Pharmacology Cardiovascular Drugs NCLEX Test Questions with
Verified Answers
The nurse is monitoring a client during IV nitroglycerin
infusion. Which assessment finding will cause the nurse
to take action?
d. Chest pain
a. Blood pressure 110/90 mm Hg
b. Flushing
c. Headache
d. Chest pain
Which statement made by the client demonstrates a need
for further instruction regarding the use of nitroglycerin?
a. "If I get a headache, I should keep taking nitroglycerin
and use Tylenol for pain relief." d. "I can take up to five tablets at 3-minute intervals for
b. "I should keep my nitroglycerin in a cool, dry place." chest pain if necessary."
c. "I should change positions slowly to avoid getting
dizzy."
d. "I can take up to five tablets at 3-minute intervals for
chest pain if necessary."
Which client assessment would assist the nurse in evalu-
ating therapeutic ettects of a calcium channel blocker?
a. Client states that she has no chest pain. a. Client states that she has no chest pain.
b. Client states that the swelling in her feet is reduced.
c. Client states the she does not feel dizzy.
d. Client states that she feels stronger.
What statement is the most important for the nurse to
include in the teaching plan for a client who has started
on a transdermal nitroglycerin patch?
a. "This medication works faster than sublingual nitroglyc-
erin works."
Verified Answers
A newly admitted client takes digoxin 0.25 mg/day. The
nurse knows that which is the serum therapeutic range for
digoxin?
b. 0.5 to 2.0 ng/mL
a. 0.1 to 1.5 ng/mL
b. 0.5 to 2.0 ng/mL
c. 1.0 to 2.5 ng/mL
d. 2.0 to 4.0 ng/mL
The client's serum digoxin level is 3.0 ng/mL. What does
the nurse know about this serum digoxin level?
a. It is in the high (elevated) range. a. It is in the high (elevated) range.
b. It is in the low (decreased) range.
c. It is within the normal range.
d. It is in the low average range.
The nurse is assessing the client for possible evidence
of digitalis toxicity. The nurse acknowledges that which is
included in the signs and symptoms for digitalis toxicity?
d. Pulse below 60 beats/min and irregular rate
a. Pulse (heart) rate of 100 beats/min
b. Pulse of 72 with an irregular rate
c. Pulse greater than 60 beats/min and irregular rate
d. Pulse below 60 beats/min and irregular rate
The client is also taking a diuretic that decreases her
potassium level. The nurse expects that a low potassium
level (hypokalemia) could have what ettect on the digox-
in?
a. Increase the serum digoxin sensitivity level
a. Increase the serum digoxin sensitivity level
b. Decrease the serum digoxin sensitivity level
c. Not have any ettect on the serum digoxin sensitivity
,Pharmacology Cardiovascular Drugs NCLEX Test Questions with
Verified Answers
level
d. Cause a low average serum digoxin sensitivity level
When a client first takes a nitrate, the nurse expects which
symptom that often occurs?
a. Nausea and vomiting b. Headaches
b. Headaches
c. Stomach cramps
d. Irregular pulse rate
The nurse acknowledges that beta blockers are as ettective
as antianginals because they do what?
a. Increase oxygen to the systemic circulation.
c. Decrease heart rate and decrease myocardial contrac-
b. Maintain heart rate and blood pressure.
tility.
c. Decrease heart rate and decrease myocardial contrac-
tility.
d. Decrease heart rate and increase myocardial contractil-
ity.
The health care provider is planning to discontinue a
client's beta blocker. What instruction should the nurse
give the client regarding the beta blocker?
a. The beta blocker should be abruptly stopped when
another cardiac drug is prescribed. b. The beta blocker should NOT be abruptly stopped; the
b. The beta blocker should NOT be abruptly stopped; the dose should be tapered down.
dose should be tapered down.
c. The beta blocker dose should be maintained while
taking another antianginal drug.
d. Half the beta blocker dose should be taken for the next
several weeks.
,Pharmacology Cardiovascular Drugs NCLEX Test Questions with
Verified Answers
The beta blocker acebutolol (Sectral) is prescribed for
dysrhythmias. The nurse knows that what is the primary
purpose of the drug?
a. To increase the beta1 and beta2 receptors in the cardiac
c. To block the beta1-adrenergic receptors in the cardiac
tissues
tissues
b. To increase the flow of oxygen to the cardiac tissues
c. To block the beta1-adrenergic receptors in the cardiac
tissues
d. To block the beta2-adrenergic receptors in the cardiac
tissues
A client is to be discharged home with a transdermal ni-
troglycerin patch. Which instruction will the nurse include
in the client's teaching plan?
a. "Apply the patch to a nonhairy area of the upper torso
a. "Apply the patch to a nonhairy area of the upper torso
or arm."
or arm."
b. "Apply the patch to the same site each day."
c. "If you have a headache, remove the patch for 4 hours
and then reapply."
d. "If you have chest pain, apply a second patch next to the
first patch."
A nurse is monitoring a client with angina for therapeutic
ettects of nitroglycerin. Which assessment finding indi-
cates that the nitroglycerin has been ettective?
a. Blood pressure 120/80 mm Hg d. Client stating that pain is 0 out of 10
b. Heart rate 70 beats per minute
c. ECG without evidence of ST changes
d. Client stating that pain is 0 out of 10
, Pharmacology Cardiovascular Drugs NCLEX Test Questions with
Verified Answers
The nurse is monitoring a client during IV nitroglycerin
infusion. Which assessment finding will cause the nurse
to take action?
d. Chest pain
a. Blood pressure 110/90 mm Hg
b. Flushing
c. Headache
d. Chest pain
Which statement made by the client demonstrates a need
for further instruction regarding the use of nitroglycerin?
a. "If I get a headache, I should keep taking nitroglycerin
and use Tylenol for pain relief." d. "I can take up to five tablets at 3-minute intervals for
b. "I should keep my nitroglycerin in a cool, dry place." chest pain if necessary."
c. "I should change positions slowly to avoid getting
dizzy."
d. "I can take up to five tablets at 3-minute intervals for
chest pain if necessary."
Which client assessment would assist the nurse in evalu-
ating therapeutic ettects of a calcium channel blocker?
a. Client states that she has no chest pain. a. Client states that she has no chest pain.
b. Client states that the swelling in her feet is reduced.
c. Client states the she does not feel dizzy.
d. Client states that she feels stronger.
What statement is the most important for the nurse to
include in the teaching plan for a client who has started
on a transdermal nitroglycerin patch?
a. "This medication works faster than sublingual nitroglyc-
erin works."
